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Special Elections to Choose Vacant Seats
A proposed law aims at eliminating the process of governors appointing United States .

In the wake of the impeachment of ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich and his alleged attempt to sell an appointment to the U.S. Senate for personal gain, U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock (R-Peoria) is introducing a bill that would require a special election to fill vacant Senate seats.

Schock says it's the only fair way to fill positions that are left vacant when a senator dies, resigns or leaves for another job, as was he case with President Obama and with several senators that he picked for his cabinet.

Schock points to several examples of seats being filled with a "place holder," including Delaware and New Hampshire. Schock says only 33 percent of appointed U.S. Senators win election when it comes time to run for the seat.

The bill calls for a special election to be held within 90 days of the vacancy, but a governor can make an appointment to fill the seat until the election. U.S. Rep. John Shimkus (R-Collinsville) is also backing the bill.


(Illinois Radio Network)
02 07 09 by Newsroom
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